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Football Grizzlies try to solve Panther puzzle

The GW Graham senior Grizzlies look for their first win of 2014 while the junior crew tries to track down a playoff spot.
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The GW Graham Grizzlies and Abbotsford Panthers renew hostilities in a Friday night double-header.

A Friday Night Football double-header, high-school style, sees GW Graham hosting two games under the lights at Exhibition Stadium.

The junior varsity Grizzlies lead off, taking on the Abbotsford Panthers in a game that kicks off at 5 p.m.

The juniors are in the playoff hunt, with a 2-1 record through three games.

They’re coming off a big 33-21 win over Lord Tweedsmuir last Thursday, but they’ll have their hands full with the Panthers.

Abby is unbeaten at 4-0 with two shutouts to their credit.

In their most recent outing, the junior Panthers pummelled the Samuel Robertson Tech Titans 47-0.

GWG’s senior squad goes looking for their first win Friday as they host Abbotsford’s seniors.

After falling by a single point (27-26) to the Pitt Meadows Marauder in their Oct. 3 opener, the Grizzlies lost 26-6 to Jesse Walker and the Mission Roadrunners last week.

The Panthers are 1-1, with a 7-0 loss to Pitt Meadows followed by a 63-0 demolition of the SRT Titans.

Chase Claypool is the big concern for the Grizzlies, a difference-maker who can win a game with very little help.

“He scored five touchdowns on us last year,” noted GWG’s varsity  head coach Laurie Smith.

Brett Westad tries to continue his strong season and stretch his string of 100-yard games to six.

He’s got to do so behind a wounded offensive line.

Smith compensated last week by calling up four of the big boys from the JV team, and they played quite well.

“Abbotsford has a very capable defense against the run so we need to get Terrell  (quarterback Sparvier) and the passing game back on track,” Smith said. “Which means better protection up front. We do have a number of key players injured on the line and so we are hoping for some quick recovery times.”



Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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